(Press-Register/Kate Mercer)A Marine escort stands along side Lance Cpl. Bruce Earnest Ferrell Jr., 21, during Sunday visitation at John F. Rhodes Civic Center in Bay Minette while Family and Church Family come to pay their respects. Bruce Earnest Ferrell Jr. died in Kandahar in southern Afghanistan, while serving with the 2/8 Fox Company, 3rd Platoon, U.S. Marines. The funeral wil be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the John F. Rhodes Civic Center.

The Marine's body arrived at the Mobile Regional Airport Sunday morning and was escorted to the John F. Rhodes Civic Center by police and riders from the Patriot Guard motorcycle group. Family members said they were surprised by the turnout for the young Marine.

"It was amazing to see everything in Bay Minette and Mobile County, so many people turning out and in Mobile they had the flag flying from the fire trucks as we went under," Tracy Milstead, Ferrell's aunt, said. "Nothing can change what we've lost, but it means a lot."

Community support has been a big help for the family since members learned Tuesday of Ferrell's death, said Sister Helen Stewart, pastor of Fretwell Church in Perdido.

"Everyone has just been great," Stewart said. "This family has been through so much and the support has done a lot for them. The support has come not just from this community, but communities all over."

Ferrell's sister, Danielle Denise Whatley, died in a traffic accident in 2006 when she was also 21.

After the hearse arrived in Bay Minette, a Marine honor guard in dress uniforms carried the flag-draped casket into the center.

Many people lining D'Olive Street said they felt a connection with Ferrell and his family.

"He was a fine boy and his family are good people," said George W. "Billy" McMillan Sr. "It's just such a shame."

(Press-Register/Kate Mercer)Family members walk into the visitation service at the John F. Rhodes Civic Center in Bay Minette, on August 16, 2009 for Lance Cpl. Bruce Earnest Ferrell Jr., 21.

Michael Connell said his grandson, Matthew Connell, is also a Marine lance corporal overseas.

"He's even a machine gunner, like this young man was," Connell said. "He's coming home from Iraq in about a month."

"He was one of our brothers," said VFW member Frazier Martin. "I spent three tours in Vietnam and it's great to see that young people are still willing to volunteer to protect our country and be willing to give their lives for our freedom."

Ferrell graduated from Baldwin County High School in 2006. He enlisted in 2007 and was deployed to Afghanistan in May 2009. His funeral service will be at 2 p.m. today at the civic center followed by burial at Bryars-McGill Cemetery.